Does having a nickel cover on pickup affect the sound?

[shushota1]

Just wondering how a nickel cover affects the sound of a pickup? Is there a difference?

 

[big_black]

Re: Does having a nickel cover on pickup affect the sound?

I hear a difference. To my ear, it smooths the high-end of the pickup a bit. I'm not sure of that is due to the cover, or due to the fact that the slug side of the pickup is farther from the strings

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: Does having a nickel cover on pickup affect the sound?

Well, as far as i know, it dampens some frequencies (mainly high frequencies\treble) and gives the pickup a smoother\warmer tone.

To my experience, the difference is comparable to lowering the pickup a little.

-Erlend

 

[marvar]

Re: Does having a nickel cover on pickup affect the sound?

I hear a difference too, I prefer no covers on any of my HB's.
And besides, nothing else says middle finger rock and roll like a guitar w/o covers! :headbang:

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Does having a nickel cover on pickup affect the sound?

I hear a difference. To my ear, it smooths the high-end of the pickup a bit. I'm not sure of that is due to the cover, or due to the fact that the slug side of the pickup is farther from the strings

+1000... there is a difference in the attenuated highs, but I think it´s just the increased distance the cover requires that does that and not the cover material itself.

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Does having a nickel cover on pickup affect the sound?

I'm going to hop on what has been said before: Covered Buckers tendto havea little smoother highs, but I think that is due to the slug beeing farther away from the strings and not directly due to the cover because SD covers are made of a special non-conducting composion to prevent the treble-damping effect that a conducting material would cause. (Because it would, together with the pup, act like a capacitor)